雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, many people assume the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, but in fact, a primitive two-wheeled device appeared in China as early as the 1700s. However, it wasn't until 1817 that a German baron named Karl von Drais created a steerable, two-wheeled vehicle called the 'Draisine'. This machine had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. Interestingly, the Draisine was initially seen as a toy for the wealthy, not a practical means of transport. It was only later, with the addition of pedals in the 1860s, that bicycles became popular among the general public.